In recent years, Netflix has delved into an array of video game adaptations, with its sights now firmly set on a classic – Capcom’s Devil May Cry.
The announcement of the anime adaptation of this legendary game, initially developed by Capcom in 2001, came at the recent Drop 01 showcase, giving fans around the globe something to eagerly anticipate.
The original game centered on Dante, a jovial yet fierce devil hunter with a penchant for women and pizza, sometimes both at the same time, who found himself tasked to protect the world from malevolent demons. With a lineage rooted in power, being the offspring of the formidable demon, Sparda, Dante employed his inherited demonic powers to take out devils in style, often utilizing weapons forged from their remains. As the narrative progressed, Dante was eventually accompanied in his ventures by fellow devil hunters, Trish and Lady, and had to confront his malevolent sibling, Vergil.
The teaser trailer for the upcoming series, although brief, was quite revealing. Within the confines of a shadowy room, Dante confidently smiles at the viewer, only to then execute an acrobatic flip, firing bullets from his renowned pistols, Ebony and Ivory, accompanied by a characteristic “wahoo” echoing from him as heavy metal music underscores the scene.
Yet, for all its flair, the teaser remains quite enigmatic, divulging just the essentials about the upcoming show, leaving its audiences speculating about what’s to come.
What’s truly intriguing is the talent behind the series. Studio Mir, celebrated for their stellar work on Avatar: The Legend of Korra and the fourth season of The Boondocks, is tasked with the animation. In addition to this, the production team boasts the likes of Adi Shankar, the creative force behind the Castlevania series on Netflix.
With its debut season comprising eight episodes and more in development, what’s perhaps the best news is Shankar’s harmonious collaboration with Capcom that makes the project all the more promising.
Netflix’s repertoire of video game adaptations has been diverse in terms of reception. While series like Castlevania and Arcane have solidified Netflix’s prowess in this realm, others, like its interpretation of Dragon’s Dogma, Dragon Age, Tekken, and DOTA, haven’t resonated as deeply with audiences.
Given this spectrum of responses, the forthcoming Devil May Cry series faces the challenge of distinguishing itself as a triumphant adaptation or risk being overshadowed by previous attempts, such as the 2007 rendition by studio Madhouse.
Speaking of, the new venture promises to draw from the 2005 game, Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening, focusing on a youthful Dante grappling with a demonic incursion on Earth and his ensuing rivalry with Vergil.
If nothing else, this guarantees that we won’t be getting anything like the much-maligned 2013 entry, DmC: Devil May Cry.
While the franchise’s release date remains undisclosed, fans of the Devil May Cry franchise have plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
With a passionate and talented team at its helm, the forthcoming anime stands poised to not only satiate longstanding fans but also introduce a new generation to the exhilarating world of Dante and his battles against the denizens of the demon realm.
Speaking of animated adaptations of video game franchises, Netflix is working on another one that’s also coming out around the same time as well, this time featuring Lara Croft.
